New Text-to-Cellphone service...works via email

[Slikkster]

FreeText-to-Cellphone service via email

Send a text message to virtually any cell provider via email. North America only. Free.

Use this format: (cellphonenumberhere)@teleflip.com and send a message.

e.g. 5555551212@teleflip.com

 

[BeauJangles]

you can also use AIM...

 

[tweakmm]

Do you put the message in the subject or the body?

 

[thomsbrain]

nearly all cell phones have a corresponding email address you can send to for free already, so there's no need to use someone else as the middle man. most providers also have free text message things on their websites, and, as blinderbomber mentioned, you can do it via AIM.

AT&T phones, for instance, are

xxxxxxxxxx@mobile.att.net

 

[Slikkster]

But the beauty of this is you don't need to know the particular cell provider's email address (e.g. mobile.att.net).
All you need is the cell number. 9995551212@teleflip.com, for example. This takes the guesswork out of any provider's particular nuances. And my job doesn't permit Instant Messengers, so AIM is not an option.
I know AIM is an option if you're using your phone itself to send messages, but if I'm at a PC, I don't really want to pick up my cellphone and slog through typing a text message on the keypad.

It's just another free option.

 

[NewSc2]

When I text message people on my cell phone it seems to get through, even if they're on different services.

 

[MrBond]

According to their privacy policy, they can send text messeges about "products or services that may be of interest to you"

We may also undertake market and product analysis based on your use of our services and contact you with information about new developments, products, services and special offers by means such as mobile text message (SMS) or Email, subject to any preferences expressed by you. We may also tell you about the products and services of carefully selected third parties and allow you to receive advertising and marketing information from those selected third parties without passing control of your personal information to the third party. For example we may send you an email or SMS according to any preferences indicated by you and/or according to your interests.

Look at the privacy policy, opt-out instructions are in there.